ANDERSON, RICHARD A.
Rank and organization: Lance
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion. 3d
Marine Division
Place: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam
Date: 24 August l969
Entered service at: Houston,
Texas
Born: 16 April 1948, Washington, D.C
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as an assistant team leader with
Company E, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy.
While conducting a patrol during
the early morning hours, L/Cpl. Anderson's reconnaissance team came under
a
heavy volume of automatic weapons and machine gun fire from a numerically
superior and well concealed enemy force. Although painfully wounded in both
legs and knocked to the ground during the initial moments of the fierce
fire fight, L/Cpl. Anderson assumed a prone position and continued to deliver
intense suppressive fire in an attempt to repulse the attackers. Moments
later he was wounded a second time by an enemy soldier who had approached
to within 8 feet of the team's position. Undaunted, he continued to pour
a relentless stream of fire at the assaulting unit, even while a companion
was treating his leg wounds. Observing an enemy grenade land between himself
and the other marine, L/Cpl. Anderson immediately rolled over and covered
the lethal weapon with his body, absorbing the full effects of the detonation.
By his indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion
to duty, L/Cpl. Anderson was instrumental in saving several marines from
serious injury or possible death. His actions were in keeping the highest
traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life in the service of his country.
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--- General / Personal ---
Last name: ANDERSON
First name: RICHARD ALLEN
Home of Record (official): HOUSTON
State (official): TX
Date of Birth: Friday, April 16, 1948
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: LCPL
Serial Number: 450842089
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0311
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Tuesday, November 26, 1968
Date of Casualty: Sunday, August 24, 1969
Age at time of loss: 21
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Other explosive device (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Tri
The Wall: Panel 19W - Row 110
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